Decommissioning and abandonment

14

Decommissioning and abandonment

OTHER NATIONAL REGULATIONS

ƒ Netherlands ƒ Mining Act 2002 and Mining Decree (Mijnbouwbesluit) ƒ Norway ƒ Petroleum Act 72 1996 ƒ UK ƒ Petroleum Act 1998

In addition to the OSPAR convention, other national regulations apply. Guidance from these national bodies further interprets the international agreements.

PRAGMATICAPPROACHTOPIPELINEDISPOSAL

PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO PIPELINE DISPOSAL ƒ Comparative assessment ƒ A balanced judgement

Technical Feasibility Complexity (variable burial depths)

Social Sea users Community Stakeholders

Environmental Energy usage Air Sea Land

Press and media

Economic Cost/benefit Uncertainty Legacy/liability

Safety Risk assessment (diving operations) Implementation

Operating company’s reputation

The BOEM, BSEE and DTI take a pragmatic approach to the requirements of the legislation. This makes a balanced judgement of all factors including the environmental, safety, cost and feasibility. The underlying criteria for any pipeline left on the seabed should involve its cleanliness, stability, burial and the interests of other users.